Tape-handling machine.



J. F. RYAN.

TAPE HANDLING MACHINE. YAPPLICATIONV FlLED FEB.5. 19l8.

Patented June 18, 191%.

lid

JOHN E. BEAN, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK;

TAPE-HANDLING MACHINE.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June lid, T916.

Application filed February 5, 1918. Serial No, 215,419. I

To aZZ whom it mag concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN F. RYAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Rochelle, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tape-Handling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements intape handling machines. More particularly it is illustrated as applied in apparatus adapted to hold a roll of gummed paper tape in such position that its end can be easily drawn forth, moistened and severed, for uses such as for sealing a package.

' ft is an object of the invention to provide an improvement in apparatus of the class described such that the tape can be more easily started from a position of rest, and drawn forth, by simple pressure of a persons finger on the top of it; also to provide means by which a full roll can be substituted for an exhausted roll of the same width of tape without disturbing the adjustment of tension, and to do this by a simple manipulation; and also to provide for regular ty of lJQlISlOl'I regardless of the d1arneter of supply roll and its condition of fullness or exhaustion; and to provide this tension in connection with tape guiding and. holdingmeans in such manner as to hold the tape adequately while the operator is tearing it along a blade, from one side tolthe One embodiment of the other of the tape. invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that variations may be made from the particular form illustrated, and that the invention may be employed with tape used for other purposes, whether the strip drawn forth be of dry gummed paper or of other material. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by

suitable'expression in theappended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan, with part in section on file line 2-2of Fig. l; i

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portion, on a larger scale, in section on the line 33 of Fig- Fig. d is a perspective view of a detail of the tape guide;

Fig 5 is a front elevation of a fragment, in section on the line 55 of lBig l; and

i usual humidity of atmosphere, or if a tion that has been moistened by roll 13 has ,been later drawn back without being sev- Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a fragment, in section on theline 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a base, consisting of a frame made of two longitudinal strips of material standing upright on their edges and joined by a transverse strip at each end. This frame holds an upright standard 11, at one side at its rear, for holding the supply roll 9 of tape; a blade 12 under which the tape passes; and a moistening roll 13- over which the tape passes, the roll being set and partly immersed in waterina tank 14- held by the frame. Aftera portion of tape has been drawn forth and severed, the latter operation being executed by the operator lifting the tape to the blade and tearing it across the edge of the blade, the tape rests with its forward edge under the forward edge of the severing blade and inaccessible to the fin ill gers of anyone desiring to seize it to draw forth another portion. time of the features of the invention relates to a device forimproving the initial feeding of the tape on such an occasion, by providing a bed of rollers l5 over which the tape passes on its way to the blade and moistener. These rollers, journaled in the side pieces of the frame it), and extending across from one side to the other, are preferably of such diameter, say half of an inch or so, as will permit the arrangement of a number of of them in line with their crests close enough together to form a succession of supports for the tape, from one to the other of which it passes without much sagging between or change of direction. They are not necessarily in a straight line. Each roll is preferably knurled, the many small points thus produced tending to engage the paper when thepaperls pressed upon itby a yielding sub stance such as the human finger and yet presenting to the tape such a small area on each, and in total, that there is little strength of adhesion between the rolls and tltl the tape if the tape be adhesive owing to un-' I porered. in consequence, a personpressing his finger upon tape lying on thisknurled roller;

35 I sharp angle therewith and after a contact of the axle of a rollhr issuch thatthe roll turns with great ease, particularly if the axle be lubricated. This device eliminates a fault which has, been observed in some machines heretofore constructed, in which the under side of the tape for any reason is inclined to stick, as upon a day of extreme humidity. The invention substitutes a movingsurface' of non-adhesive character. The rolls are in such proximity to each other that they have the efiect of a moving surface, although the surface as a whole stays in its stationary position, notwithstanding the motion. From the-sma lness of the radius of curvature of'the rol elements, three other important results follow, viz: first,- portions of the surfaces of the rollers have an inclinedvface, as it were, toward the direaction from which the tape moves, so that the tape, bending under the pressure of a persons finger, is more firmly pressed upon each as the finger reaches each roll in turn;

second, the depression of the tape into the space between two-rolls bends it so as to detach any parts that may be adhering to a roll, and third, the further surfaces of the rotating elements, which are on the side toward the moistener, are rotated down out of contact with the tape, at a relatively which is only brief' As it is only at the crests of the rollers that the tape can adhere, when left at rest, and only at the points made by the nurling on the crests, there cannot be any strong permanent adhesion; and as those crests areeasily movable about their pivots the tape is easily started forward, even though adhering, or even though rubbing with such friction as would prevent its feeding if it were on a stationary surface; and immediately upon starting it becomes separated by the rotation of the rollers. A persons finger is naturally applied to the upper slopes of'the rollers as he draws it toward the moistener while press- ,with the. finger, with only the frictional ingdownward on the tape, and-as this pressure approaches being normal to that sur face it gives a good grip on the tape to start it moving, and at the same time the pressure is in approximately the direction of desired motion. Hence the tape moves forward drag which-exists at the pivots of the rollers and is self-clearing.

, Beyond this feeding contrivance, the tape passes severing means and moistening means. These may be arranged in any ordinary or suitable manner, so far as the present invention is-concerned. The drawings illustrate' apparatus in which the former precedes the latter and in which the tape passes through a guide-way 8 into contact with the moistener, which is arranged in the path of the tape so as to deflect it when the. leading end of the tape is thrust against it. The deflection is upward, and permits the tape to be easily grasped'by the fingers to be drawn 'forth as much as desired. The moistener 13 is represented as a roller having stub axles 17 mounted in bearings 18 provided in the inner face of the vertical walls of the pan 1 1. This pan may extend forward and be covered with a sliding plate 18, as illustrated, and can extend backward as far toward or under the bed of'rollers 15, as desired. As illustrated, it is removable through the top of the frame when the slide cover 19 has been removed; and it is prevented from falling through the bottom of the apparatus by clips or lugs 20. Other arrangements of knife and roller may, however, be used, such as those in which the moistener precedes the severing means, or in which the latter is of a diflerent type, or is positioned at a greater distance from the path of the tape, all of which'constitute arrangements already well known, I

The invention also provides means for producing anicely determined. and proper tension for the tape. The elimination of deterrent frictionin the feeding means of the tape contributes to this, and the elimination of friction on the supply roller contributes, leaving the net or total tension to be determined by a suitable device which is added for that purpose, providing a determinable friction, which in the present case consists of a simplespring 21 pressing against the 'tape as it passes around a guide roller 22, located at the end of the frame remote from the moistening tank and suitably positioned in journals in standard 11 and a low standard 24: with respect to the supply holding standard 11 so that tape coming from the supply roll thereon can pass around .under as by screws 23, on the frame 10. The degree of pressure can be pro-determined by the relationin whichthe parts are set, the stiffness and bend of the spring, etc., as will be readily understood by any person of ordinary skill in mechanics Another feature of the invention consists of the device by which the supply roll 9 is relieved of frictional drag, or is provided with the desired small amount thereof to counteract the effect of momentum, and by which this canbe set permanently so as to be the same upon rolls of tape of equal size introduced into the apparatus in succession, as one after another becomes exhausted, without disturbance and're-setting. To this 7 ries a horizontal stud 25 which extends k ratusis intended to hold. The stud may d ll across the apparatus and constitutes a stationary axle on, which the wooden core 26 customarily provided in rolls of paper tape turns loosely. This stud isthreaded far enough to permit the screw nut 27 and the non-rotating washer 28 upon it to'be moved as close to the standard llas is required for holding the narrowest tape which the appahave a flat side 25 corresponding to a flat side and hole through the washer, as seen in Figs. 5 and 6, so that the latter cannot rotate upon it. The nut and washer may then be set toprovide any desired drag to prevent unwinding of the supply roll, due to momentum consequent upon the drawing forth of tape; or can be set so as to apply no' friction of this nature but merely to hold the roll in position at the base of the stud; and thus to hold the tape steady and to start it in a straight path through the apparatus. The substitution of a full for an exhausted roll without disturbing this adjustment is provided by making a shoulder 25 on the pin, the reduced diameter made by the shoulder being the part which passes through the standard and i being screw threaded, as at 25 and having a nut 29 on the outer side of the standard. Removal of this nut to the right in Fig. 5, permits thestud 25 to be taken out to the left, from the standard 11, and the supply roll core 26 can then he slipped on toor off from the stud 25 without disturbing the nut 27 or the till:

washer28. This screw may be very, short, while the screw on the part of the stud where the supply roll rests ordinarily has to be as long as the full width of the appa ratus. Hence the operatioh of replacing an times regardlessnof the size of the supplyv roll and regardless of conditions of humid,- ity in the atmosphere which might cause more friction on or adhesion to the bed over which it is moved toward the moistener loy pressure of the operators finger- The working tension need be but little. The elimination of friction, which usually heretofore has been of varying and uncertain degree on the roll, and the elimination of sticking of the tape where it is fed by the persons lingers, result in producing an easy running rename apparatus with enhanced comfort and conveniencein use. Tape of any width may be employed, up to the capacity of the ma chine; and rolls of tape in which the gum side is inward or those inwhich the gum side is outward. may be employed, by reason that the guide roll 22 will take tape either from the forward or the rearward side of the roll 9.

The rear portion of the apparatus is preferably made lower than the forward portion, with the bed of rollers 15 extending up a slight incline. This makes it more natural for facilitating feed of the tape, comprising a series of closely adjacent rollers over whose crests the-tape passes and which in combina tion constitute a. supportwith movable surface on which the tape is exposed to contact with a feeding linger.

2. In a tape handling apparatus, a device for facilitating feed of the tape, comprising a series of closely adjacent rollers over whose crests the tape passes and which in combination constitute a support with movable surface on which the tape is exposed to contact with a feeding finger, said rollers being ar ranged with their axes in a plane.

3. In a tape handling apparatus, a device for facilitating feed of the tape, comprising a series of closely adjacent rollers over whose crests the tape passes and which in com bination constitute a support with movable surface on which the tape is exposed to contact with a feeding finger, the portions of said rollers contacting with the tape being a multiplicity of points separated from each other. i

4i. Tn a tape handling apparatus the combination, with means for holding a tape supply, of a feed device having a movable surface over which the tape passes and means whereby the friction between the tape and the said surface is greater than the friction between the feed device having the said surface and its support, whereby the said tape and surface move together, and the frictional slip occurs between said feed device and its support. I o t 5. Tn a tape handling apparatus, a self clearing feeding device, comprising a. surtill till

ltlti lllltl face whereon the tape is exposed to contact with a'feeding finger; said surface beinga composite of a plurality of elements con-- strained to move in pathsmomentarily supporting and then departing from the tape resting on the device.

6. Tape handling apparatus having a support for a supply roll of tape and means for engaging the tape to feed it therefrom, the

ll said roll-and the said feeding apparatus be- I ingv adapted to pass the tape approximately without drag, due to deterrent friction; and a spring drag applicable to the tape between the supply roll and the feeding device.

v'2'. Tape handling apparatus having a holder for a supply roll of tape comprising a standard, a pin projecting therefrom, having a roll holding portion adapted to pass through the supply roll at its axis and an other portion removably secured to the standard; means on the roll holding portion delimiting a art thereof for the supply roll; means whereby the supply roll is replaceable over the securedportion of the PHI.

8. Tape handling apparatus having a holder for a supply roll of tape comprising a a standard; a pin of two diameters, one for passing through the supplyroll axially, and the other, smaller, passing through the standard, with a shoulder between its larger and smaller portions and fastening means on the latter portion the parts being so adapted to each other in size that the supply roll is removable over'said shoulder, whereby replacement of a supply roll need not vary the roll holding spacea.

I 9. Tape handling apparatus comprising meansto hold a supply roll of tape; a tapecompressing tension apparatus through which the tape passes from the supply roll, fixed in position and constituting frictional tension means; and a support having a freely movable surface over which the tape passes, adapted for movement with the tape in the direction of tape feeding, and constituting a feeding device.

10. Tape handling apparatus comprising means to hold a supply roll of tape; a tapecompressing tension device through which the tape passes from the supply roll, fixed in position and constituting a frictional drag; a tape support having a movable surface over which the tape passes, constituting a feeding device; a tape severing device, and a moistener; the said movable surface being arranged and adapted to direct the tape against said moistener.

Signed by me at 52 Vanderbilt ave, New York, N Y.,this 31st day of January, 1918.

JOHN F. RYAN.

Witnesses:

PERCY E. COLLINS, ELIZABETH HANRAHAN. 

